Split air-conditioner module

ABSTRACT

A split air-conditioner module includes a control module, a fan module, a total heat exchange module, an air filter module and a cooling/heating module. Each module includes a frame and an electronic device installed in the frame. Each frame is installed independently and detachably coupled to the adjacent frame through a fastening structure, and the air-conditioner module is controlled by the control module for its operation. Users can select and configure the air-conditioning modules according to different environmental requirements. The split air-conditioner module has the advantages and effects of adjusting the performance, simplifying the equipment, reducing the space and providing an easy maintenance.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to air-conditioners, and moreparticularly to a modular air-conditioner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In general, air-conditioning occupies a substantial percentage of theconstruction cost, and our activities usually have to change the usageor partition the using space. However, most conventional indoorair-conditioners generally come with functions performed in a fixedspace, so that it is necessary to determine the cooling/heating, airexchanging and other functions before we purchase the air-conditioner,and these fixed functions cannot be changed or adjusted after theair-conditioner is purchased.

When there is a change of environment conditions, indoor spacearrangement or usage, the air-conditioner cannot be adjusted to meetthese requirements, and thus it is necessary to purchase and installanother air-conditioner, which causes unnecessary waste and tremendousinconvenience. Furthermore, the air-conditioners installed and used atdifferent positions are different, and the conventional air-conditionerscan provide performance for average requirements only, but fail toconfigure for spaces with higher humidity, higher temperature and lowerventilation in the construction, so that users have to buy additionalequipments, perform the construction again, or add more hardware, andthese arrangements will occupy more of the limited indoor space.

If any part of the aforementioned indoor fixed air-conditioner isdamaged, the whole air-conditioner must be sent for repair. Furthermore,the air-conditioner of this type has the disadvantage of a difficultdaily maintenance or cleanup, since the air-conditioner must be shutdown for the disassembly before maintenance and/or cleanup can takeplace. As a result, the air-conditioner cannot be operated during themaintenance and/or cleanup and requires a re-installation after themaintenance and/or cleanup is completed. Obviously, the aforementionedair-conditioner wastes time and efforts and fails to comply with userrequirements.

In view of the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art, the inventorof the present invention based on years of experience in the relatedindustry to conduct extensive researches and experiments, and finallydesigned a feasible solution to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is a primary objective of the present invention to providea split air-conditioner module capable of selecting an air-conditioningmodule according to different environmental requirements and achievingthe effects of adjusting the performance, simplifying the equipment,reducing the space and facilitating the maintenance and repair.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a splitair-conditioner module with a modular design, so that different modulescan be combined flexibly to provide different functions as needed. Theair-conditioner modules includes different types of fans, total heatexchangers, air filters or condensers/heaters, etc provided for theuser's selection according to the environmental requirements to meet theuser requirements.

To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the present invention providesa split air-conditioner module comprising a control module and a fanmodule. The control module comprises a first frame and a controllerinstalled in the first frame; and the fan module comprises a secondframe and a fan installed in the second frame, wherein the first frameand the second frame are installed independently and coupled adjacent toeach other, and the second frame is detachably coupled to the firstframe through a fastening structure, and the fan is controlled by thecontroller for the operation.

To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the present invention providesa split air-conditioner module comprising a control module and afunction module. The control module comprises a first frame and acontroller installed in the first frame. The function module comprises asecond frame and an electronic device installed in the second frame, andthe second frame and the first frame are installed independently andcoupled adjacent to each other, and the second frame is detachablycoupled to the first frame through a fastening structure, and theelectronic device is controlled by the controller for its operation.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a splitair-conditioner module having a partition installed between any twoadjacent frames, and the partition has a punch hole formed thereon and aplate for covering the punch hole, and the plate may be removed asneeded to arrange the position of a pipeline channel or an air channel,so as to simplify the construction and avoid repeating the wiring at theexterior or indoor space of a construction.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a splitair-conditioner module having a plurality of rail structures disposed inthe frame and provided for fixing or combining the electronic device ineach module, so as to improve the convenience of use.

Compared with the prior art, the control module, the fan module, thetotal heat exchange module, the air filter module and thecooling/heating module of the split air-conditioner module of thepresent invention are modularized. In addition, other modules such asthe total heat exchange module, the air filter module or thecooling/heating module are optional and may be selected and installed asneeded. Since each module is modularized (with an independent frame), sothat the present invention has high integrability. When it is necessaryto add other air circulation equipments, the users simply select andinstall the required equipment without the need of buying the whole setof air-conditioner or repeating the construction. Modules may be addedor removed to meet the requirements, so as to achieve the effects oflowering the total cost, providing the required function, and reducingthe energy waste. In addition, each module of the present invention maybe expanded by stacking or expanded sideway. Since each module isintegrated in a single space, therefore the occupied indoor space can bereduced, and the indoor using space occupied by the air-conditioner canbe integrated. When one of the modules of the present invention isdamaged or requires repair and maintenance, the damaged module can beremoved for the repair or cleanup, while keeping the remaining modulesto be operated normally, so as to improve the practical use of thepresent invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a split air-conditioner module inaccordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of internal components of a splitair-conditioner module in accordance with the first preferred embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a split air-conditioner module inaccordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a partition installed in a splitair-conditioner module in accordance with the first preferred embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the configuration of a splitair-conditioner module in accordance with the first preferred embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the configuration of a splitair-conditioner module in accordance with the first preferred embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the configuration of a splitair-conditioner module in accordance with another implementation mode ofthe first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a split air-conditioner module inaccordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of internal components of a splitair-conditioner module in accordance with the second preferredembodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The technical contents of the present invention will become apparentwith the detailed description of preferred embodiments accompanied withthe illustration of related drawings as follows. It is noteworthy thatthe embodiments are provided for the purpose of illustrating theinvention instead of limiting the scope of the invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 for the perspective view of a splitair-conditioner module and the schematic view of the internal componentsof the split air-conditioner module of the first preferred embodiment ofthe present invention respectively, the split air-conditioner module 1comprises a control module 10 and a fan module 20 (or function module20). The control module 10 and the fan module 20 (or function module 20)are installed independently, and the control module 10 and the fanmodule 20 (or function module 20) are coupled by stacking.

The control module 10 comprises a first frame 11 and a controller 12installed in the first frame 11. Preferably, the first frame 11 has acontrol panel 13 combined with a side of the first frame 11. Inaddition, the fan module 20 (or function module 20) is detachablycoupled to the control module 10. The fan module 20 (or function module20) comprises a second frame 21 and a fan 22 installed in the secondframe 21. The first frame 11 and the second frame 21 are installedindependently and coupled adjacent to each other, and the second frame21 is detachably coupled to the first frame 11 through a fasteningstructure 80. The fan 22 is controlled by the controller 12 for itsoperation.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fasteningstructure 80 is comprised of a fastening plate 81 and a fastening slot82, and the fastening plate 81 and the fastening slot 82 are installedin the two adjacent frames respectively, so that the two adjacent framesare fastened and fixed by the fastening plate 81 and the fastening slot82 to connect the two independent frames. It is noteworthy that thedesign of fastening structure 80 is not limited to the aforementionedarrangement only, but any design capable of achieving the same effect ofcombining the two frames may be adopted instead.

Now, the second frame 21 is used for the purpose of illustrating thestructure of each frame. The second frame 21 is formed by a plurality ofwall panels 211 and the second frame 21 further comprises a front cover211′ for covering the second frame 21, and the front cover 211′ has aplurality of grid holes 210 formed thereon and provided as an air inletor outlet of the fan module 20.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the splitair-conditioner module 1 further comprises a second function modulewhich is a total heat exchange module 30, an air filter module 40 or acooling/heating module 50, and a base 60. The total heat exchange module30, the air filter module 40 and the cooling/heating module 50 may beselected and configured according to actual requirements.

It is noteworthy that the total heat exchange module 30, the air filtermodule 40 and the cooling/heating module 50 may be combined or arrangedbetween the aforementioned control module 10 and fan module 20, andusers may select or configure the function and the quantity of the splitair-conditioner module 1 as needed to meet different functions or userrequirements. For example, the functional components of each module maybe replaced by other modules or devices of a more powerful function(such as better ventilation or higher cooling power) without the need ofreplacing the whole set of air-conditioner.

The total heat exchange module 30 includes a third frame 31 and a totalheat exchanger 32 installed in the third frame 31, and the total heatexchanger 32 is controlled by the controller 12 for its operation. Theair filter module 40 comprises a fourth frame 41 and an air filter 42installed in the fourth frame 41, and the air filter 42 is controlled bythe controller 12 for its operation. In addition, the cooling/heatingmodule 50 comprises a fifth frame 51 and a condenser/heater 52 installedin the fifth frame 51, and the condenser/heater 52 is controlled by thecontroller 12 for its operation. In addition, the base 60 is disposed onthe bottom side in the split air-conditioner module 1 and provided forsupporting the split air-conditioner module 1 or changing the directionof the split air-conditioner module 1, so as to adjust the overallheight or using angle of the split air-conditioner module 1.

It is noteworthy that the second frame 21, the third frame 31, thefourth frame 41 and the fifth frame 51 are formed by a plurality of wallpanels, and each frame has a front cover for covering the frame and thefront cover has a plurality of grid holes. In addition, the first frame11, the second frame 21, the third frame 31, the fourth frame 41 and thefifth frame 51 have the same width and length, but a different height.In actual practice, the dimensions and appearance are not limited to theaforementioned arrangement only, but the dimensions and appearance ofthe first frame 11, the second frame 21, the third frame 31, the fourthframe 41 and the fifth frame 51 may be different.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 for an exploded view of a splitair-conditioner module and a schematic view of a partition installed inthe split air-conditioner module in accordance with the first preferredembodiment of the present invention respectively, the splitair-conditioner module 1 of this preferred embodiment further comprisesat least one partition 100 installed between any two adjacent frames(including the first frame 11, the second frame 21, the third frame 31,the fourth frame 41 and the fifth frame 51) such as the first frame 11and the second frame 21. If an additional total heat exchange module 30is selected and installed and the third frame 31 is stacked on thesecond frame 21, the partition 100 is also installed between the secondframe 21 and the third frame 31. Similarly, when the air filter module40 or the cooling/heating module 50 is installed, the partition 100 isinstalled between the two frames of the two adjacent modules. Inaddition, the partition 100 has a plurality of removable plates 101 witha punch hole 102, and the plates 101 are provided for covering the punchhole, so that the plates 101 can be removed for adjusting the positionof a pipeline channel or an air channel.

With reference to FIG. 5 for a schematic view of a split air-conditionermodule in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the first frame 11, the second frame 21, the third frame 31,the fourth frame 41, and the fifth frame 51 may contain a plurality ofrails 200 for mounting components of each module. In FIG. 5, the fan 22of the fan module 20 and the condenser/heater 52 of the cooling/heatingmodule 50 are slidably installed on the rails 200 and disposed in thesecond frame 21 and the fifth frame 51 and at corresponding positions ofthe fan 22 and the condenser/heater 52 respectively. It is noteworthythat the split air-conditioner module 1 of the present invention may beadjusted according to actual requirements. In FIG. 5, when it is notnecessary to use the air filter module 40 and the total heat exchangemodule 30, the two modules 40, 30 can be removed directly, or the airfilter 42 and the total heat exchanger 32 in the fourth frame 41 and thethird frame 31 can be taken out and replaced by other components havinga more powerful function such as a condenser/heater 52 or a fan 22.

With reference to FIG. 6 for a perspective view of a splitair-conditioner module in accordance with the first preferred embodimentof the present invention, the second frame 21 of the fan module 20 isused for illustrating this embodiment. The second frame 21 is formed bya plurality of wall panels 211, and one of the wall panels 211 (such asthe rear wall panel) has a plurality of removable mesh plates 212 whichcan be removed as needed to expose from the punch hole 213 in order toarrange the positions of a pipeline channel and an air channel orinstall a cable. Similarly, the third frame 31, the fourth frame 41 andthe fifth frame 51 are formed by a plurality of wall panels and one ofthe wall panels has a plurality of removable mesh plates.

With reference to FIG. 7 for another implementation mode of the splitair-conditioner module of the present invention, the splitair-conditioner module 1′ further comprises a control module 10′ and afan module 20′, wherein the fan module 20′ is stacked on the controlmodule 10′ for providing a fan function or a total heat exchange module,an air filter module and a cooling/heating module for providing an airexchange or filter function to meet actual requirements.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 for a perspective view of a splitair-conditioner module and a schematic view of internal components ofthe split air-conditioner module in accordance with the second preferredembodiment of the present invention respectively, the splitair-conditioner module 1 a comprises a control module 10 a, a fan module20 a, a total heat exchange module 30 a and a cooling/heating module 50a, wherein the modules are coupled adjacent to one another, and userscan select and configure the modules according to differentenvironmental requirements. In addition, each module comprises a frameand an electronic device installed in the frame. Each frame is installedindependently, and detachably coupled to the adjacent frame through afastening structure, and the air-conditioner module 1 a is controlled bythe control module 10 a for its operation.

In FIG. 9, the modules are coupled transversally and expanded sideway.In addition, the split air-conditioner module 1 a further comprises aplurality of fixing stands 70 a for mounting the split air-conditionermodule 1 a onto a wall or a ceiling.

While the invention has been described by means of specific embodiments,numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention set forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A split air-conditioner module, comprising: acontrol module, further comprising a first frame and a controllerinstalled in the first frame; and a fan module, further comprising asecond frame and a fan installed in the second frame, and the firstframe and the second frame being installed independently and coupledadjacent to each other, and the second frame being detachably coupled tothe first frame through a fastening structure, and the fan beingcontrolled by the controller and operated.
 2. The split air-conditionermodule of claim 1, further comprising a total heat exchange module, andthe total heat exchange module further comprising a third frame and atotal heat exchanger installed in the third frame, and the third framebeing installed independently, and the third frame being detachablycoupled to the first frame or the second frame through a fasteningstructure, and the total heat exchanger being controlled by thecontroller and operated.
 3. The split air-conditioner module of claim 1,further comprising an air filter module, and the air filter modulefurther comprising a fourth frame and an air filter installed in thefourth frame, and the fourth frame being installed independently, andthe fourth frame being detachably coupled to the first frame or thesecond frame through a fastening structure, and the air filter beingcontrolled by the controller and operated.
 4. The split air-conditionermodule of claim 1, further comprising a cooling/heating module, and thecondensing module further comprising a fifth frame and acondenser/heater installed in the fifth frame, and the fifth frame beinginstalled independently, and the fifth frame being detachably coupled tothe first frame or the second frame through a fastening structure, andthe condenser/heater being controlled by the controller and operated. 5.The split air-conditioner module of claim 1, further comprising at leastone partition, and the partition being installed between the twoadjacent first and second frames, and the partition having a pluralityof removable plates.
 6. The split air-conditioner module of claim 1,wherein the first frame and the second frame are formed by a pluralityof wall panels and one of the wall panels has a plurality of removablemesh plates.
 7. The split air-conditioner module of claim 1, wherein thefirst frame and the second frame further comprise a front cover providedfor covering the first frame and the second frame, and the front coverhas a plurality of grid holes formed thereon.
 8. The splitair-conditioner module of claim 1, wherein the first frame and thesecond frame have a plurality of rails disposed therein.
 9. The splitair-conditioner module of claim 1, wherein the first frame and thesecond frame have the same appearance and dimensions.
 10. The splitair-conditioner module of claim 1, wherein the first frame and thesecond frame have different appearances and dimensions.
 11. The splitair-conditioner module of claim 1, further comprising a base disposed atthe bottom side of the split air-conditioner module.
 12. The splitair-conditioner module of claim 1, wherein the first frame has a controlpanel combined onto a side of the first frame.
 13. An splitair-conditioner module, comprising: a control module, further comprisinga first frame and a controller installed in the first frame; and afunction module, further comprising a second frame and an electronicdevice installed in the second frame, and the second frame and the firstframe being installed independently and coupled adjacent to each other,and the second frame being detachably coupled to the first frame througha fastening structure, and the electronic device being controlled by thecontroller and operated.
 14. The split air-conditioner module of claim13, wherein the function module is a fan module, and the electronicdevice is a fan.
 15. The split air-conditioner module of claim 13,further comprising a second function module which is a total heatexchange module, an air filter module or a cooling/heating module. 16.The split air-conditioner module of claim 15, further comprising atleast one second function module which is at least one selected from thegroup of a total heat exchange module, an air filter module and acooling/heating module.
 17. The split air-conditioner module of claim15, further comprising at least one partition installed between the twoadjacent first and second frames, and the partition having a pluralityof removable plates.
 18. The split air-conditioner module of claim 15,wherein the first frame and the second frame are comprised of aplurality of wall panels, and one of the wall panels has a plurality ofremovable mesh plates.
 19. The split air-conditioner module of claim 15,wherein the first frame and the second frame further comprise a frontcover for covering the first frame and the second frame, and the frontcover has a plurality of grid holes formed thereon.
 20. The splitair-conditioner module of claim 15, wherein the first frame and thesecond frame have a plurality of rails disposed therein.